Injector device

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for simultaneously injecting two opposite portions of a poultry breast with an additive comprises a pair of hollow needles mounted on a single handle with at least one of the needles being pivotedly mounted with respect to the other needle and including a finger operable device to cause movement of the pivotable needle. The two needles are spaced from one another and are movable from parallel to diverging postures so as to enable both needles to better follow the conformation of a poultry carcass as they are simultaneously inserted therein. Prior apparatus includes multiple needles in fixed positions with respect to one another.

United States Patent Panek f i [151 3,682,087 [451 Aug. 8, 1972 [s41 INJECTOR DEVICE [72] Inventor: Mitchell W. Panek, 5104 W; Cullom Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60641 [22] Filed: May 27, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 40,859

52 us. c1 ..99/256, 128/347 511 Int Cl.. ..A23l3/34 [58] Field 6: Search ..99/256, 257; 17/421;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATEN'IS 3,511,164 5/1970 Strandine m1 .499/257 3,246,595 4/1966 Wharton etal ..99/257 3,344,731 10/1967 Trees ..-...99/257 Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts Assistant Examiner-Arthur 0. Henderson AttorneyEdward T. McCabe, Charles E. Bouton and W. C. Davis I [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for simultaneously injecting two op- 1 posite portions of a poultry breast with an additive comprises a pair of hollow needles mounted on a single handle with at least one of the needles being pivotedly mounted with respect to the other needle and including a finger operable device to cause. movement of the pivotable needle. The two needles are spaced from one another and are movable from parallel to diverging postures so as to enable both needles to better follow the conformation of a poultry carcass as they are simultaneously inserted therein. Prior apparatus includes multiple needles in fixed positions with respect to one another.

l0 Chins, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAUB 1912 3,682,087

SHEET 1 [IF 2 INVENTDFR MITCHELL. W. F'ANEK ATTURNEY I INJECTOR DEVICE This invention relates to an improved apparatus for injecting an additive into the breast tissue of a poultry carcass; and more specifically relates to an improved combination of two hollow needles for simultaneous insertion through substantially the length of each breast in an area between the skin and the skeletal structure.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,511,164 a method and apparatus are disclosed for injecting a composition, preferably a fat or oil emulsion, into the breast tissue of a fowl without penetrating the skin thereof. According to that invention an eviscerated fowlis positioned before an operator who manually displaces the severed skin from either the anterior (crop) or posterior (ventral) visceral incisions, so as to expose the flesh of the pectoralis superficialis muscle, and then penetrates the flesh in a generally horizontal and longitudinal direction by the insertion of a relatively long hollow needle. The needle is pushed through the flesh almost the entire length of the breast area and then, while in place, an additive is injected through a plurality of spaced orifices along the needled body. The needle is then withdrawn and the displaced skin is returned to a position covering the entry site. According to one embodiment of the invention separate single needles may be inserted one or more times in each breast area. Another embodiment employs a pair of such needles rigidly fixed in spaced arrangement on a common handle for simultaneous insertion into both breast areas.

However, when using the combined needles of the aforementioned invention it is very difficult for an operator to insert same through substantially the full length of the breast tissue as the needles tend to retain their fixed attitude, which must be initially set to permit entry into the tissue at relatively closely spaced sites,

whereas the conformation of the breast tissue, because of the skeletal structure, tends to follow a broadening or diverging body. Because of the fixed nature of earlier multiple needles the optimum path of penetration or insertion of such a body could not be obtained; and if optimum penetration was required it was necessary to resort to individual insertion of single hollow needles.

Accordingly it is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for simultaneously inserting a pair of hollow needles through the breast tissue of a poultry carcass so as to follow the conformation thereof along a generally optimum path of penetration.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus comprising a pair of hollow needles mounted on a common handle so as to be movable with respect to one another.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus comprising a pair of hollow needles mounted upon a common handle so as to be pivotable with respect to one another from a parallel attitude to a diverging attitude.

Generally the present invention comprises a pair of hollow needles that are mounted on a common handle means in a manner wherein at least one of the needles is movable with respect to the other needle, and a means is associated with the handle and needles for causing movement of the latter.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following detailed specification in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

the needles in a parallel attitude.

As may be seen in the figures the present apparatus comprises a pair of needles l and 12 each having a plurality of orifices l4 and each terminating at the free end thereof in the form of closed points 16 and 18, respectively, which facilitate penetration of poultry flesh. The two needles 10, 12 are preferably slightly curved and are mounted on a common handle means generally 20 in a manner so as to be pivotable thereon. In a broader sense it is necessary only that one of the needles be pivotable with respect to the other needle so that the relative position of the two needles may be adjusted between parallel and diverging attitudes similar to that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. However it is preferred that both needles be pivotably mounted with respect to the handle means generally 20 so that the attitudes of the needles are symmetrical with respect to the center line of the handle.

Accordingly in a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in the figures, the handle means generally 20 includes a grip member 22 that is secured to a unitary body block 24. The needles and 12 pivotably depend from beneath the body block 24. Each needle l0, 12 is in communication with an additive supply pipes 26, 28, respectively, which extends through the body block 24, substantially perpendicular to the grip member 22. The supply pipes 26, 28 may be mounted so as to be rotatable within the body block 24 and the respective needles 10, 12 directly connected thereto; or the supply pipes 26, 28 may be fixed within the body block 24 and the respective needles may be connected thereto by rotatable unions (not shown) at the underside of the body block 24. In either. instance a moving means generally 30 is secured to at least the one pivotable needle; and an actuating means generally 32 is associated with the handle means generally and the moving means generally so that an operator, while holding the grip member 22, can cause one of the needles to be moved with respect to the other of said needles.

In the preferred form of the apparatus each needle 10, 12 is coupled by mounting ferrules and threaded couplings 34, 36, and the like to individual pivot blocks 38, 40, respectively. Pivot blocks 38, 40 are secured to the lower ends of the additive supply pipes 26, 28 respectively so as to be pivotable beneath the body block 24. As above mentioned the interior of each needle 10, 12 is communicated with the respective supply pipes 26, 28 by means of internal passage ways or porting (not shown) within each pivot block 38, 40, respectively.

It is preferable that the pivot blocks 38, 40 be spaced slightly as by a separator stem 42, which may be an integral piece on the underside of the body block 24, and that the opposing surfaces thereof be curved so as to be freely pivotable without interference with one another or the separator stem 42.

A pair of cam plates 44, 46 are fastened to the respective pivot blocks 38, 40 and preferably extend rearwardly thereof generally beneath the grip member .pivoting the respective needles l and 12 between diverging and parallel attitudes. The follower 52 is preferably mounted upon 'a bentrod in the form of a trigger 54 which, in turn, is pivotably mounted at the angle thereof from a clevis mount 56 attached to the backside of mounting block 24 directly beneath the.

grip member 22.

Also in the preferred embodiment of the invention the needles l0, 12 are biased to normally assume a diverging attitude. This is desirable in that the optimum path of the needles through the breast tissue of a poultry carcass diverges from the relatively closely spaced points of entry at either the anterior or posterior incisions. Thus an operator may perform his task with least effort where he holds the needles parallel at the time of insertion and then gradually releases them to assume more divergent attitude as the penetration of the poultry tissue progresses. To accomplish this a bias means generally 60 is attached between the needles or other pivotable structure. Preferably, in the described embodiment, a tension spring 62 is secured between the rearmost ends of the cam plates 44, 46 so as to normally pull those parts together whereby the oppositely extending needles and 12, respectively, diverge from one another. Accordingly it will also be seen that lifting of the free end of the trigger 54 toward the grip 22 (which is readily performed by an operator while holding the grip member 22 in one hand) will cause the follower 52 to be moved rearwardly so as to urge apart the cam plates 44, 46 thereby pivoting the respective needles toward a parallel attitude. While held in the latter position the needles may be simultaneously inserted into the opposite breast tissues; and while being pushed forward the trigger 54 is gradually released whereby the needles l0 and 12 will gradually be diverged at the urging of tension spring 62. The curvature of the preferred form of the needles assists the penetration thereof to follow an optimum path conforming generally with the shape of the bird.

It is intended that each of the additive supply pipes 26, 28 be connected to a source of additive under pressure (not shown). For this purpose it is desirable to employ flexible tubing to enable an operator to freely move the above described instrument. Accordingly the supply pipes 26, 28 terminate a short distance above the body block 24 in the form of couplings 66, 68 respectively that are connectable to appropriate flexible conduits. Additionally it may be desirable to include between each coupling 66, 68 and the respective supply pipes 26, 28, check valves 70, 72 to limit the direction or minimum pressure of additive flow.

Furthermore, it is desirable but not critical to the invention, to include guide members 76, 78 in association with each of the respective needles l0, 12 which the operator may utilize to regulate or control the depth of needle penetration beneath the poultry skin and to visually indicate to the operator the point of forward penetration of the needles. Such guide members may take the form as shown in FIG. 1 of contact spheres 80, 82 attached to the forward ends of arcuate rods 84, 86 which extend from the respective pivot blocks 38, 40 and terminate a short distance above the respective needle ends l6, 18.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and, therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An improved apparatus connectable to a source of additive for injection into the flesh of a fowl to improve the eating qualities thereof, said apparatus comprising: handle means; a pair of hollow injection needles mounted in said handle means and extending forwardly thereof, said needles being connectable to a supply of additive, and at least one of said needles being.

pivotably mounted so as to be ,angularly movable with respect to the other of said needles; and means connected to move at least said one of said needles.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means connected to move at least one of said needles includes a cam connected to said one of said needles and a follower movably connected to said handle and engageable to move said cam to pivot said needle.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 including bias means connected to said needles to normally urge said one of said needles to diverge from said other needle.

4. An improved apparatus connectable to a source of additive for injection into the flesh of a fowl to improve the eating qualities thereof, said apparatus comprising: handle means; a pair of hollow injection needles pivotably mounted in said handle means and extending forwardly thereof; and means connected to simultaneously pivot both of said needles with respect to said handle means and so as to be angularly movable with respect to one another.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the means connected to pivot said needles includes cams connected to each of said needles and a follower movably connected to said handle and engageable to simultaneously move both said cams to pivot both needles in opposite directions.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 including bias means connected to said needles to normally urge said needles to diverge from one another.

7. An improved apparatus connectable to a source of additive for injection into the flesh of a fowl to improve the eating qualities thereof, said apparatus comprising: amounting block; a handle attached to a rearside of said mounting block; a pair of parallel pipes extending through said mounting block perpendicular to said handle; a pivotable block attached to each pipe at an underside of said mounting block, one of said pivotable blocks and said pipes being pivotably mounted with respect to said mounting block; a hollow injection needle extending forwardly from each of said pivotable blocks, each said needle being connectable to a source of additive and having a closed pointed end and a pluralityof laterally disposed orifices spaced along the length thereof; a cam connected to each of said pivotable blocks and extending rearwardly thereof; and a cam follower pivotably mounted beneath said handle and engageable with both of said cams whereby movement of the follower will simultaneously pivot each of said cams and needles in opposite directions.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 including a tension spring connected between said cams to normally urge said cams toward one another and causing the needles to diverge;

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each of said Patent No. 3,682,087 Dat d August 8, 1972 MITCHELL W. PANEK Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

The patent should show on its face that it is assigned to Swift 80 Company of Chicago, Illinois.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of March 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-1050 (IO-69) USCOMM DC 6376 p69 us. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: I969 o-ass-su. 

1. An improvEd apparatus connectable to a source of additive for injection into the flesh of a fowl to improve the eating qualities thereof, said apparatus comprising: handle means; a pair of hollow injection needles mounted in said handle means and extending forwardly thereof, said needles being connectable to a supply of additive, and at least one of said needles being pivotably mounted so as to be angularly movable with respect to the other of said needles; and means connected to move at least said one of said needles.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means connected to move at least one of said needles includes a cam connected to said one of said needles and a follower movably connected to said handle and engageable to move said cam to pivot said needle.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 including bias means connected to said needles to normally urge said one of said needles to diverge from said other needle.
 4. An improved apparatus connectable to a source of additive for injection into the flesh of a fowl to improve the eating qualities thereof, said apparatus comprising: handle means; a pair of hollow injection needles pivotably mounted in said handle means and extending forwardly thereof; and means connected to simultaneously pivot both of said needles with respect to said handle means and so as to be angularly movable with respect to one another.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the means connected to pivot said needles includes cams connected to each of said needles and a follower movably connected to said handle and engageable to simultaneously move both said cams to pivot both needles in opposite directions.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 including bias means connected to said needles to normally urge said needles to diverge from one another.
 7. An improved apparatus connectable to a source of additive for injection into the flesh of a fowl to improve the eating qualities thereof, said apparatus comprising: a mounting block; a handle attached to a rearside of said mounting block; a pair of parallel pipes extending through said mounting block perpendicular to said handle; a pivotable block attached to each pipe at an underside of said mounting block, one of said pivotable blocks and said pipes being pivotably mounted with respect to said mounting block; a hollow injection needle extending forwardly from each of said pivotable blocks, each said needle being connectable to a source of additive and having a closed pointed end and a plurality of laterally disposed orifices spaced along the length thereof; a cam connected to each of said pivotable blocks and extending rearwardly thereof; and a cam follower pivotably mounted beneath said handle and engageable with both of said cams whereby movement of the follower will simultaneously pivot each of said cams and needles in opposite directions.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 including a tension spring connected between said cams to normally urge said cams toward one another and causing the needles to diverge.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each of said parallel pipes is hollow and is connected through said pivotable blocks with the interior of said hollow injection needles and wherein each said pipe extends upwardly of said mounting block and is connectable with the source of additive.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said cam follower is a trigger pivotably mounted to the rear of said mounting block beneath said handle and is operable in conjunction with gripping said handle. 